When Sam Darnold stepped up to replace first-round pick J.J. McCarthy as Vikings starting quarterback, Minnesota probably didn’t expect any potential for a future QB controversy. But through three games, the football gods have decided to be all about Sam Darnold.

Sam Darnold found Justin Jefferson for a Minnesota score and then later on, Darnold connected with Aaron Jones for a Vikings' touchdown. Coming out of halftime, the Vikings got the ball first, and what do you know?

Jonathan Greenard had three of the four sacks of Stroud, his former teammate, as the Vikings (3-0) intercepted the 2023 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year twice while rattling the Texans (2-1) with their aggressive and unpredictable scheme — and the crowd noise that cranked up with each stop.